Elder Hyrum Snell~ Called to Serve in Madagascar: 10/05/15- My Weakness is My Strength

Salama daholo e! This week was honestly one of the best weeks I've ever had as far as the missionary work goes. Not only did I enjoy it, but the work went so well. Hopefully we will start to see some fruits of that labor in the near future. I can definitely feel the prayers and fasts of those back at home, as they truly help out here in Madagascar. But we've got some good questions this week, so I'll go start with that.

First off, we should be watching General Conference towards the end of October, as that is when the DVD gets here. So I will tell you all when that happens and give some of my favorite thoughts from it. Also, weird thought that Elder Mack reminded me of today. Only one more General Conference session, and then I go home... Stinkin' Elder Mack, ;) ... But anyway, that's the update on General Conference.

Next: the transfer is getting close. We get transfer news this next Sunday, and I will most likely be leaving and moving to a new area. No idea where, but we will see. I won't keep Elder Leo for another transfer, but we will separating this next week. It's been a good three months or so. Training has been crazy though, that's for sure.

Third question: Vaovao mahakasika ny naman'ny fiangonana. (News with regards to the investigators). As far as that goes, nothing new really. We have some good progressing investigators, and they seem to becoming converted, but we are still working with them to prepare them for baptism, as they aren't quite there yet. They're getting there, and they are progressing, but it's just not quite there.

Fourthly, as far as more spiritual things, my mom asked me times I have seen God's hand in my life, as well as His direction and love. As far as this last week has gone, it has mostly been with regards to things that I say. There have been several times throughout this past week when people have told me that something I said really touched them, and helped them with something that was bothering them. Throughout my mission, I have had experiences that have helped me be able to say what God wants me to say, rather than what I want to say. I always felt that when missionaries said something that the Spirit was prompting them to say, it was a more solid prompting, like almost the Spirit was whispering it to them. And yet I've seen out here that as you begin to speak, the Spirit simply guides you in what God wants you to say. Sometimes I have felt absolutely stumped by what an investigator or less active member asks me. But then I simply open my mouth and start saying what I feel I should say. And then--I don't even know how it happens--but the words that come out of my mouth are not my own, but I start to feel the Spirit fill the room and change the entire feeling of the lesson. It's like the words are in my heart, and the Spirit just brings it out of me and turns it into a coherent, spiritual thought. It is almost impossible to describe it without feeling it, but that is the best I can do. So anyway, that is my answer. God has truly directed the things I say and do and share during lessons.

Lastly, my mom asked me what scripture has come to be one that I love out here on my mission. To answer that, I would have to say a pair of scriptures have truly become to mean so much to me and what it means to be a missionary. And that is the combination of Ether 12:27 and 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10. We all know the one from Ether about how when we are humble, God makes our weaknesses strengths. But what does that really mean? I've truly seen the relationship between weakness and strength due to the scripture written by Paul in 2 Corinthians:

Paul says that "lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

But how can we literally be weak and be strong at the same time? That's not possible. Or is it? If we combine the two scriptures, it makes sense. According to Moroni in Ether, we must be humble and come unto God, acknowledging our weakness, and then He will make that become a strength unto us. But does God really take away our weakness? Sometimes, like with Moroni. But sometimes we are left with it, like with the case of Paul. Then what? We do what God asks us to: that is, come unto Him acknowledging our weaknesses and humbly asking for help. Then, if we do that, God strengthens us. I would make a slight change to Paul's words: "when I am weak, with God, then I am strong." And that is literally its meaning. I have come to see this especially in the Malagasy translation of the Bible, which says "ny fahalemeko no fahatanjahako" which literally means that "my weakness is my strength". For when we are with God, in humility, we are strong, no matter what our weaknesses or insufficiencies may be. Like Paul said to the Philippians: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Through Christ, our humility, and our coming unto Him, we can be cleansed, strengthened, and qualified for whatsoever thing He has called us to do. Am I, with all my faults, imperfections, and insufficiencies qualified to be God's mouthpiece and servant here on earth? Uh no. Obviously not. But I know that, and so I ask God everyday to make me into the missionary that He needs me to be. I know I am nothing, and so I ask Him for the help and strengthening that I need in order to perform my duty as a missionary. I have come to truly know the truthfulness of these scriptures on my mission. They mean a lot to me, and I know that because of the truths that are written in them, we can all be qualified for those callings that we are given throughout our lives. We don't need to be scared. Just humble. And patient. And then, if we ask for it, God will help us in our callings and our situations so that we can do what He needs us to do.

Anyway, that's all for this week. Thank you all for being so great and emailing me or praying for me or for just existing and being a great person. You all are so incredible, and I love you all. Have an absolutely fantastic week!

Am-pitiavana,
Elder Snell